This is part seven in a new blog series by hand and upper extremity surgeon, Tyson Cobb, MD. This series contains summaries of articles co-written by Dr. Cobb discussing some of the latest research and new techniques for a variety of hand and upper extremity conditions.

Anatomy of the Flexor Retinaculum
In this study, Dr. Tyson Cobb and colleagues defined the anatomic limits of the carpal tunnel by carefully dissecting 26 cadaver upper extremities. The anatomy was more clearly defined than previously documented. Three segments were defined: a thin proximal segment composed of thickened antebrachial fascia of the forearm, transverse carpal ligament defined by the boundaries of the scaphoid tubercle, pisiform, hook of the hamate, and tubercle of the trapezium and the distal portion of the flexor retinaculum composed of an aponeurosis between the thenar and hypothenar muscles. The most narrowed portion of the carpal tunnel was noted to be at the level of the hook of the hamate.